According To UNICEF, Breastfeeding Has Lifesaving Benefits And Can Improve A Country’s Economy

Breastfeeding has lifesaving benefits according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"Investing in breastfeeding has a significant impact on the health of women and children and on the economies of both rich and poor countries," said UNICEF Chief of Nutrition Werner Schultink, citing a new series published by the weekly medical journal, The Lancet.

"The (Lancet) series provides crucial evidence for the case that breastfeeding is a cornerstone of children's survival, health, growth and development and contributes to a more prosperous and sustainable future," he said. The study found that breastfeeding saves babies lives, reducing the risk of sudden infant deaths and intestinal diseases, reports Xinhua.

Breastfeeding also benefits countries economically.

The study also highlighted the economic benefits of breastfeeding and called on governments to support mothers with policies such as a minimum of 14-week maternity leave.

It found that countries lost over $500 billion annually because of a loss in cognitive ability which led to reduced earning capacity for people who had not been breastfed as babies.

via Time and Date

In fact, breastfeeding can even help the UN achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNICEF, which contributed to the Lancet series, said the study showed that breastfeeding can help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are a set of 17 economic, social and environmental goals all UN member states have agreed to work towards achieving by the year 2030.

"Breastfeeding is the most natural, cost effective, environmentally sound and readily available way we know to provide all children, rich or poor, with the healthiest start in life," said Schultink.